Does my B/W photo have enough "color"?

[private]

I have been inspired by the blogs on this website and have decided to take some Black and White photos that depict everyday living in my household. I hope to hang them on my wall.
This is my first try. I like this picture because everyone in our family is represented, me with the yarn (I also knit), my son with the scooter and the legos and my husband with the basket (he likes to put thigs away). And we all use Kleenex.

Does this photo tell the above story, or something else? Is the "color" OK? Is it too bright?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/patjesten/2307302189/" title="livingroom by p_jesten, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2073/2307302189_49b4ec510c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="livingroom" /></a>

Any help or changes would be greatly appreciated.

[Kvikken]

I think it is a fascinating picture, and even more with your description about how it represents your family and I like the light that's being cast on the floor from the window.
I don't think the picture is too bright, but it lacks black, wich makes it look a bit washed-out.

I tried to turn up the contrast a bit, the first were I only turned the dark areas more to black, and the other were I turned the contrast up more.
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9388/patjesten1zy8.jpg

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/6982/patjesten2lo0.jpg

[Saralonde]

I agree, it lacks contrast. The light in the window looks a little bright, too. It would be very helpful if you would post the EXIF info with your picture. Check #5 of the Critique Forum Rules (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showpost.php?p=96662&postcount=1). Particularly in this case it would help us make suggestions on how to help you improve.

[private]

Here is the exif data, I guess I should have included that, I just assumed that people would go to flickr and look :)
Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/10
Focal Length: 49 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

X-Resolution: 72 dpi
Y-Resolution: 72 dpi
Shutter Speed: 479850/65536
Color Space: sRGB
Focal Plane X-Resolution: 4433.295 dpi
Focal Plane Y-Resolution: 4453.608 dpi
Custom Rendered: 1
Compression: JPEG
Image Type: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi

[private]

kind of like this?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/patjesten/2308180541/" title="livingroom by p_jesten, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2308180541_208d08e106.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="livingroom" /></a>

[Caterwaul]

I might additionally suggest lowering the ISO when taking these shots, particularly if you plan on drastically adjusting the contrast later on, and if you want to print them fairly large. I think the shot would benefit from considerably less grain, and the lighting seems more than sufficient for quite a low setting. I would also underexpose them a bit to avoid the white blow out on the windows, and then adjust the midtones later.

[private]

Cool - thanks I will try that as soon as we get more sun - its a bit cloudy here today! How low of an ISO? 200?

[RexK_Cozumel]

generally the lower the iso the better if you have a tripod you can just open the shutter longer to get the correct exposure.

[private]

i do have a tripod - I never think to use it. Thanks for the reminder...

[onesaint]

IMHO, this rendition looses too much detail. the color is stronger, but the chair and the wall behind it are becoming to dark.
kind of like this?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/patjesten/2308180541/" title="livingroom by p_jesten, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2308180541_208d08e106.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="livingroom" /></a>



the first one posted by Kvikken, although not as contrasty, retains detail in the furniture.

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9388/patjesten1zy8.jpg